Apparatus for mounting a pen needle assembly

ABSTRACT

A storage device (30) for storing a pen needle assembly (10) includes a housing (30) having first wells (44) with a dimension for receiving the pen needle assembly and second wells (46) for receiving an inner shield (24) of the pen needle assembly. The second wells (46) have a diameter less than a diameter of the first wells (44). An ejector (40) in the housing (34) can be actuated to eject the used needle hub (16) and outer covers (22) from the first well (44) and the inner shield (24) from the second well (46) for disposal. A method of coupling a pen needle delivery device to a needle hub positions a needle hub assembly (18) in the first well (44) and inserts the coupling end of the delivery device (10) into the first well (44) and is coupled to the needle hub. The needle hub is pulled from the outer cover (22). The inner shield (24) is inserted into the second well (46) to remove the inner shield from the needle hub.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.16/465,784, filed on May 31, 2019, which is a 371 of PCT/US2017/064698filed on Dec. 5, 2017, which claims priority from Chinese Utility ModelApplication No. 201621333824.1, filed on Dec. 6, 2016, and ChineseInvention Patent Application No. 201611111494.6, filed on Dec. 6, 2016,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for use inmounting a pen needle assembly to a pen delivery device. Moreparticularly, the present invention generally relates to an apparatushaving a first well to retain a needle hub with an inner shield and toretain the needle hub after use to reduce the risk of inadvertent needlestick. The apparatus can have a second well to receive the inner shieldfor separating the inner shield from the needle hub without the need tohandle the inner shield.

BACKGROUND

Insulin and other injectable medications are commonly delivered withdrug delivery pens, whereby a disposable pen needle hub is attached tothe pen to facilitate drug container access and allow fluid egress fromthe container through the needle into the patient.

Various pen needle delivery devices are known in the art for dispensingthe substance to the patient. The delivery devices often use adisposable needle hub having a cannula or needle extending from apatient end of the hub for inserting into the patient. A non-patient endof the hub is coupled to the pen delivery device for delivering thesubstance to the patient.

The needle hub assembly is often packaged in a container containingseveral loose needle hubs. A needle hub is selected from the package andattached to the pen needle delivery device for injecting the patient andthen removed to be discarded. The needle hub package includes an outercover that encloses the needle hub and a removable seal that is peeledfrom the outer cover to open the cavity so that the needle hub can beremoved. The needle hub can have threaded non-patient end that isthreaded onto the delivery device. The delivery device with the attachedneedle hub is then removed from the outer cover. An inner needle shieldis attached to the needle hub to cover the cannula until the device isready for use. The shield is removed to expose the cannula for use todeliver the substance to the patient. After use, the needle hub can beinserted back into the outer cover to enclose the exposed cannula. Thepen delivery device is separated from the needle hub leaving the needlehub within the outer cover.

The prior devices require the use of both hands to connect to and removethe needle hub from the delivery device. During the placement back intothe outer cover, the cannula is exposed and provides an increased riskof accidental needle stick. The manual operation of holding the outercover while positioning the spent needle hub and cannula into the cavityof the outer cover can be difficult without accidental needle stick.

Existing pen needle assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication Nos. 2006/0229562 to Marsh et al. and 2007/0149924 to R.Marsh, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

Although the prior devices have been suitable for the intended use,there is a continuing need in the industry for improved packaging for apen needle hub assembly.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and device are disclosed for receiving at least one penneedle hub assembly. In particular, the one feature is directed to apackage or apparatus for a pen needle assembly that can be used in amanner to reduce the risk of inadvertent needle stick.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is provided with a well for a needlehub to retain and support the needle hub and cannula while attaching toa pen needle delivery device and storing a used needle hub for disposal.The apparatus has a recess or well for receiving an inner shield thatcovers the cannula so that the inner shield can be removed from theneedle hub without the operator handling the inner shield. The usedneedle hub can be inserted back into the well and stored until ready fordisposal. An ejector mechanism is provided to eject the needle hub,outer cover and inner shield to a suitable disposal such as a sharpscontainer.

In accordance with another aspect of the apparatus, the inner shield canbe inserted into a well in the apparatus so that the inner shield isretained by a friction fit or interference fit. The needle hub andcannula can then be pulled away to separate the inner shield while theinner shield is retained in the well without the need for the user tohandle the inner shield.

One aspect of the apparatus is to provide a device for receiving andsupporting a needle hub assembly to attach the needle hub to thedelivery device without the need for the user to handle the exposed hubwith the exposed cannula on the needle hub. The needle hub assembly ispositioned in the device so that the delivery device can be attached tothe non-patient end of the needle hub. An inner needle shield on theneedle hub can then be inserted into a well in the device to grip theinner shield so that the inner shield can be separated from the needlehub without handling the inner shield. After use, the needle hub ispositioned in a well of the device and disconnected from the deliverydevice where the device retains the used needle hub, outer cover, andinner shield. The needle hub can be retained in the needle hub well by afriction fit or interference fit to enclose the cannula and reduce therisk of inadvertent needle stick. An ejector is provided to eject theused components from the device into a disposal container.

The various features of the apparatus are basically attained byproviding a device for a pen needle assembly where the pen needleassembly includes an outer cover, a needle hub, and an inner shieldcovering a cannula on the needle hub. The device comprises a housinghaving a top wall and a side wall. The top wall has an outer top surfacewith a least one first well with a dimension for receiving the penneedle assembly. A second well is formed in the top wall and has adiameter less that a diameter of the first well and a dimension forreceiving and retaining the inner shield. The device includes an ejectorfor ejecting the outer cover and needle hub from the first well and forejecting the inner shield from the second well.

In one embodiment, the second well has a dimension to receive the innershield by a friction fit or interference fit so that inserting the innershield into the well grips the inner shield with a sufficient force sothat the needle hub when attached to the pen needle delivery device canbe pulled outward to separate the inner shield to expose the cannula fordelivering a substance to a patient. After use of the needle hub andcannula, the needle hub is inserted into the first well where the needlehub can be gripped by a friction fit or interference fit so that the penneedle delivery device can be separated from the needle hub without theoperator handling the needle hub thereby reducing the risk ofinadvertent needle stick.

The features of the apparatus are further attained by providing a devicecomprising a housing having a top wall with an outer top face. The topwall includes a plurality of first wells having a first dimension and aplurality of second wells with a second dimension. Each first wellreceives a pen needle assembly having an outer cover, a needle hubhaving a cannula, and inner shield coupled to the needle hub to enclosethe cannula. The second well has a dimension for receiving and retainingthe inner shield. The device further includes an ejector for ejectingthe outer cover and used needle hub received in the first well and forejecting the inner shield received in the second well.

The features of the invention are further attained by a method ofcoupling the needle hub of a pen needle assembly to a delivery deviceusing a support device. The device has a top wall with a plurality offirst wells for containing the pen needle assembly, a plurality ofsecond wells with a dimension for receiving an inner shield of the penneedle assembly, and an ejector for ejecting the outer cover of the penneedle assembly and needle hub from the first wells and ejecting theinner shields from the second wells. The method includes the steps ofinserting the coupling end of the delivery device into a first well toengage and couple to the open end of the needle hub. The delivery devicewith the needle hub attached is removed leaving the outer cover retainedin the first well. The inner shield is inserted into the second wellwhere the inner shield is gripped with sufficient force that the needlehub can be pulled free and separated from the inner shield to expose thecannula for use in delivering the substance to the patient. After use,the needle hub is inserted into the outer cover that was retained in thefirst well and disconnected from the delivery device. The ejector isthen actuated to eject the used needle hub and outer cover from thefirst wells and eject the inner shields from the second wells fordisposal.

The objects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken inconjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodimentsof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above benefits and other advantages of the various embodiments ofthe present invention will be more apparent from the following detaileddescription of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and fromthe accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a pen needle delivery device in oneembodiment showing the pen needle assembly that includes a needle hub,inner shield and cover;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pen needle assembly;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the storage device in oneembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the storage device of FIG. 3showing the gripping members;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the storage device showing the penneedle assembly positioned in the well;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device showing the deliverydevice being connected to the needle hub;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device showing the needle hub beingpulled from the outer cover;

FIG. 8 is cross-sectional view of the pen needle delivery deviceinserting the inner shield into the well of the device;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the pen needle delivery device beingseparated from the inner shield;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the needle hub being inserted intothe outer cover that is retained in the well;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the needle hub positionedwithin the outer cover after use;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the delivery device separatedfrom the used needle hub; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the ejector in a position forejecting the used needle hub, outer cover and inner shield from thedevice.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numbers will be understood torefer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present apparatus is directed to a device for storing and supportingat least one and preferably a plurality of pen needle assemblies for usewith a pen delivery device. The apparatus is further directed to astorage device for a used needle hub where the used needle hub can bereplaced in the device after use and later discarded without handlingthe needle hub to reduce the risk of accidental needle stick.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that this disclosure isnot limited in its application to the details of construction and thearrangement of components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The embodiments herein are capable o ofbeing modified, practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it willbe understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Theuse of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereofherein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms“connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein areused broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings,and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” andvariations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanicalconnections or couplings. Further, terms such as up, down, bottom, andtop are relative, and are employed to aid illustration, but are notlimiting.

The device for the needle hub assemblies can enable the convenient andeasy assembly and removal of the needle hub on the pen delivery devicewith reduced handling of the exposed needle cannula. The device for theneedle hub assemblies can be placed on a flat surface, such as a table,so that the pen needle delivery device can be attached to the needle hubassembly with one hand thereby reducing the risk of the needle stick byhandling the needle hub with the exposed needle cannula.

Pen needle delivery device 10, as shown in FIG. 1 typically comprises adose knob/button, an outer sleeve 12, and a cap. A dose knob/buttonallows a user to set the dosage of medication to be injected. The outersleeve 12 is gripped by the user when injecting medication. The cap isused by the user to securely hold the pen injector device 10 in a shirtpocket, purse or other suitable location and provide cover/protectionfrom accidental needle injury.

In standard pen needle delivery devices the dosing and deliverymechanisms are all found within the outer sleeve 12 and is not describedin greater detail here as they are understood by those knowledgeable ofthe prior art. A medicament cartridge is typically attached to astandard pen injector housing by known attachment means. The distalmovement of a plunger or stopper within the medicament cartridge causesmedication to be forced into the reservoir housing. The medicamentcartridge is sealed by a septum and punctured by a septum penetratingneedle cannula located within a reservoir or housing. Reservoir housingis preferably screwed onto the medicament cartridge although otherattachment means can be used. The pen needle delivery device can be astandard pen delivery device known in the industry so that the penneedle delivery device is not shown in detail. The pen needle assembly18 as shown in FIG. 2 includes a needle hub 16 supporting a cannula 20,an outer cover 22, and an inner shield 24. A protective seal 26 isattached to the open end of the outer cover as shown in FIG. 2 toenclose the needle hub and cannula to maintain a clean and sterilecondition. The seal can be a label or other closure member that can beeasily peeled from the outer cover to access the needle hub during use.

The pen needle delivery device 10 is connected to needle hub 16 shown inFIG. 1 that has a connecting non-patient end with internal threads thatscrew onto a threaded end 18 of the delivery device 10. A needle cannula20 extends from the patient end of the needle hub 16 for delivering thesubstance to the patient. The outer cover 22 can be provided to coverthe needle cannula to protect the patient from accidental needle stickbefore and after use. The inner shield 24 is provided over a postextending from the end of the needle hub 16 to enclose the cannula.During use, the needle hub 16 is connected to the pen delivery deviceand the inner shield is removed. After use, the outer cover is generallyplaced back on needle hub to cover the needle cannula. The needle hubwith the cover is then removed from the pen needle delivery device anddiscarded.

The device is configured for receiving and supporting at least one penneedle assembly in a position where the delivery device or pen needleinjector device can be coupled to the needle hub for use for injectingthe substance to the patient without the need for the user to handle theneedle hub with the exposed cannula. The used needle hub and cannula canthen be positioned back into the outer cover that is retained in thedevice and separated from the delivery device. The used outer cover andneedle hub and the inner shield are retained in the device. The devicecan then be inverted and an ejector actuated or deployed to eject theused outer cover, needle hub and inner shield for safe disposal withouthanding the components.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the supporting device 30 of the inventionincluding a housing 32 with a side wall 34, a top wall 36, an openbottom end 38 and an ejector 40 received in the open bottom end 38. Topwall 36 has an outer top face 42 with at least one and preferably aplurality of recesses that form wells for the pen needle assembly. Inthe embodiment shown, top wall 36 has a plurality of first wells 44spaced apart from each other and facing outward from top face 42. Eachwell 44 has a dimension to receive and support a pen needle assembly andshown in FIG. 5. A plurality of second wells 46 are also provided in thetop wall 36 and spaced from the first wells 44. The second wells 46 havedimension to receive and support an inner shield 24.

In the embodiment shown and described, the wells 44 and 46 are formed inthe top wall 36. In other embodiments, the well can be provided in aside wall or other location that is accessible to the user. Providingthe wells in the top wall has an advantage that the delivery device canbe pushed in a downward direction to inhibit movement of the device whenplaced on a stable surface or support.

As shown in FIG. 5, the wells 44 for the pen needle assembly depth andwidth complementing the dimensions of the pen needle assembly 18. Thewell 44 has a first substantially cylindrical upper section 48 with adiameter sufficient to receive the pen needle assembly 18 and thethreaded coupling end 14 of the delivery device 10. A second cylindricalsection 50 is spaced below the first section 48 and spaced from the topwall 36. The section 50 has a diameter less that the diameter of thefirst section 48 with a ledge 52 extending between the first section 48and second section 50 for mating with a shoulder on the delivery device.The ledge 52 is spaced from top wall 36 a distance to recess the outerflange 54 of the needle hub 16 below the top face 42. The ledge 52 formsa stop member for the outer cover 22 of the pen needle assembly and forthe delivery device.

A conical section 54 extends from a bottom end of the second section 50to converge to a lower section 56. As shown in the drawings, the lowersection 56 has an open bottom end 58. Lower section 56 has a shapecomplementing the end of the outer cover 22. In the embodiment shown,lower section 56 has a slight taper or conical shape corresponding tothe conical shape of the end of the outer cover. The first well 44defined by the various sections has a shape and dimension complementingthe shape and dimension of a pen needle assembly so that the pen needleassembly fits within the well 44.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of teeth 60 projectinwardly from the bottom end of the second section 50 to mate withcorresponding ribs or recesses formed in the outer surface of outercover 22 shown in FIG. 1. The teeth 60 are oriented to engage the outercover to inhibit rotational movement of outer cover 22 with respect tohousing 32 while coupling and uncoupling the needle hub 16 from thecoupling end of the delivery device. Well 44 can have a dimension toretain outer cover 22 by a friction fit or by an interference fit. Inother embodiments, a gripping member can be provided to grip outer cover22. In one embodiment the gripping mechanism can be an O-ring receivedin an annular recess in well 44 to engage the outer surface of outercover 22.

In the embodiment shown, a plurality of the first wells 44 is formed inthe top wall 36 for accommodating a plurality of pen needle assemblies.The first wells 44 can be arranged in a suitable pattern as needed. Inthe embodiment shown, the first wells 44 are arranged in a generallycircular pattern around the outer edge of the top wall 36.

The second wells 46 have a shape and dimension to receive the innershield 24 after separating from the needle hub 16. As shown in FIG. 5,well 46 has a first substantially cylindrical section 62 extending fromthe top face 42 and has a diameter complementing the outer diameter ofthe coupling end 14 so that only the coupling end 14 can be insertedinto the well 46. First section 62 has an axial length corresponding tothe length of the coupling end 14. A ledge 64 extends radially inwardfrom a bottom end of first section 62 to a lower substantiallycylindrical section 66. Lower section 66 extends from ledge 64 in anaxial direction to an open bottom end 68. Lower section 66 has adiameter corresponding to the outer diameter of inner shield 24. In oneembodiment, the diameter of lower section 66 has a diameter to form afriction fit with inner shield 24 to grip inner shield 24 to enableinner shield 24 to be separated from the post of needle hub 16.

Ejector 40 is mounted within the open bottom end 38 of housing 32 forsliding in an axial direction with respect to housing 32. In theembodiment shown, ejector 40 is biased away from top wall 36 by a springmember 70 extending between top wall 36 and ejector 40. Ejector 40 isformed by a bottom plate 72 having an outer dimension to fit within theopen bottom 38 and to slide within housing 32. Housing 32 includes guideposts 74 extending in the axial direction to the bottom end of housing32. Bottom plate 72 is provided with openings 74 that receive the guideposts 76 for sliding movement relative to the housing 32. A stop member78 is provided on each guide post 76 to retain bottom plate 72 withinthe cavity of housing 32 while allowing sliding movement of bottom plate72.

Housing 32 has a flange 80 extending radially inward from side wall 34toward the axial center of housing 32 and is positioned between the topand bottom ends of the side wall. An axially extending inner wall 82extends in an upward direction toward top wall 36 and is spaced radiallyinward from and parallel to side wall 34. Flange 80 includes an aperture84 aligned with and receives a plunger 86 extending from bottom plate72. As shown in FIG. 6, plunger 86 is aligned with the open bottom end58 of first well 44 for sliding movement within first well 44 with thesliding movement of ejector 40. Flange 80 includes an aperture 104aligned with each well 44. A plunger 86 for each well 44 is provided onbottom plate 72.

Ejector 40 includes a center post 88 extending upwardly from bottomplate 72 toward top wall 36 for supporting a plate 90. Plate 90 has asubstantially flat configuration with an outer dimension correspondingto an inner dimension of inner wall 82 for sliding axially within thecavity of inner wall 82. A lower sleeve 92 extends from a bottom face ofplate 90 for coupling with center post 88 and an upper sleeve 94 formating with the spring 70. A plunger 96 extends from the upper face ofplate 90 and is aligned with the open bottom end 68 of second well 46for sliding through well 50. Each well 46 is provided with acorresponding plunger 96. As shown in FIG. 5, spring 70 biases ejector40 away from top wall 36 so that plunger 86 and plunger 96 are in aretracted position so that the components of the pen needle assembly canbe inserted into the respective well. The ejector can be manually pushedupward so that the plunger 86 and plunger 96 are in a second positionshown in FIG. 13 to eject the components from the respective wells.

The bottom face of the device 30 can include a slip-resistant surface orfriction member to resist sliding when placed on a surface such as tabletop. The embodiment shown, the bottom face of bottom plate 72 isprovided with slip resistant pads 100 and suction-like cups 102 forstabilizing the device on a supporting surface during use. In otherembodiments, the bottom edge of side wall 34 of housing can be providedwith a suitable non-slip surface or member.

The support device 30 of the invention is used for coupling andun-coupling a needle hub to a pen needle delivery device in a mannerthat reduces the risk of accidental needle stick by avoiding the needfor the user to handle the needle hub with an exposed cannula. Thedevice also provides a convenient method of storing used needle hubs anddiscarding the used needle hubs in a safe manner.

The device is suitable for use in a method of coupling and uncoupling adelivery device to a needle hub and disposing of used needle hubs withreduced exposure by the user to the cannula after the injection. In use,the seal 26 can be removed from a pen needle assembly 18 and the penneedle assembly is positioned in a selected well 44 so that the assemblyis positioned below the top face 42 of device 30 as shown in FIG. 5. Inother embodiments, the pen needle assembly 18 with the seal attached canbe placed in the well 44. In one embodiment, a seal or closure can beprovided on the open top end of the well 44 to protect the needle hubreceived in the well. The seal can then be removed or separated from theouter cover prior to use. A delivery device 10, such as a conventionalpen needle delivery device, is inserted into well 42 as shown in FIG. 6.Teeth 60 engage the outer surface of outer cover 22 so that coupling end14 of delivery device 10 can be coupled to needle hub 16. In theembodiment shown, the coupling end 14 has external threads for matingwith internal threads on the inner surface of needle hub 16 as known inthe art. Delivery device 10 can be rotated within well 44 to screw thecoupling end 18 into needle hub 16. Delivery device 10 with the needlehub 16 attached is then retracted from the well 44 with the inner shield24 attached to the end of needle hub 16 while the outer cover 22 remainscaptured within the well 44 as shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 8, delivery device 10 with the needle hub 16 and innershield 24 is inserted into well 46 so that inner shield 24 is positionedin second section 66 of well 46. Second section 66 of well 44 has adimension or other gripping mechanism to grip inner shield 24 so thatdelivery device can be withdrawn leaving inner shield 24 within well 46as shown in FIG. 9. In this manner, a needle hub can be coupled to adelivery device with limited handing of the needle hub and without theneed to manually remove the outer cover and inner shield to expose thecannula. The delivery device with the exposed cannula shown in FIG. 9 isready for use to inject the substance into the patient.

After use, the used needle hub 16 can be placed back into the outercover 22 without the need for the user to handle the outer cover or theneedle hub. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the used needle hub 16 whileattached to the delivery device 10 is inserted into the first well 44.As shown in FIG. 11, the needle hub 16 is inserted back into the outercover 22 where the delivery device can be rotated to unscrew thecoupling end 14 from needle hub 16. Delivery device 10 can then beremoved as shown in FIG. 12 for further use.

The supporting device 30 of the invention is able to retain several usedneedle hubs 16 and the corresponding inner shields 24 in the respectivewells to reduce the risk of accidental needle stick. The used needle hub16 and inner shields 24 can be discarded by inverting the device 10 asshown in FIG. 13. The ejector 40 can be actuated and moved to theposition shown in FIG. 13 where plungers 86 eject the outer covers 22with the used needle hubs 16 and the plungers 96 eject the inner shields24 from each well into a suitable disposal container for used needlesand syringes. The spring 70 then biases the ejector 40 back to theoriginal position for reuse.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may bemade to the embodiments described herein without departing from thescope of the invention. It is particularly noted that the features ofdifferent embodiments and claims may be combined with each other as longas they do not contradict each other. All such changes and combinationsare considered to be within the scope of the invention, which is definedby the appended claims and their equivalents.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Thedescription of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention isintended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the presentinvention. Various modifications, alternatives, and variations will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are intended to fallwithin the scope of the invention.

1. A device for receiving at least one pen needle assembly for a penneedle delivery device, where the pen needle assembly includes an outercover, a needle hub having a cannula and an inner shield, said devicecomprising: a housing having a top wall with at least one first well forreceiving and retaining the outer cover of the pen needle assembly, andat least one second well having a diameter less than said first well anda dimension for receiving and retaining the inner shield for separatingthe inner shield from the needle hub; and an ejector operatively coupledto said housing for simultaneously ejecting the outer cover from thefirst well and for ejecting the inner shield from the second well. 2.The device of claim 1, wherein said first well has a dimension toreceive the outer cover of the pen needle assembly where said outercover is recessed with respect to an outer surface of said top wall, andwhere said second well has a dimension to receive said inner shieldwhere said inner shield is recessed relative to an outer face said topwall for separation of the needle hub from the outer cover.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said first well has a shape and dimensioncomplementing a shape and dimension of the outer cover to grip the outercover with sufficient force to enable separation of the needle hub fromthe outer cover and to inhibit rotation of the outer cover within thefirst well.
 4. The device claim 3, wherein said first well includes arib oriented for mating with a complementing recess on the outer coverto inhibit the rotation of the outer cover relative to the housing. 5.The device of claim 1, wherein said second well has a first portion witha dimension to receive the needle hub and a second portion with adimension to receive and retain the inner shield to grip the innershield for separating the needle hub from the inner shield.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5, wherein said second well has an inner surface to gripthe inner shield by a friction fit.
 7. The device of claim 1, whereinsaid ejector is movable from a first position to a second position, saidejector including at least one first plunger cooperating with said atleast one first well and at least one second plunger cooperating withsaid at least one second well whereby movement of said ejector from saidfirst position to said second position ejects the outer cover and a usedneedle hub from said first well and ejects said inner shield from saidsecond well.
 8. A storage device for receiving a plurality of pen needleassemblies for a pen needle delivery device, where each pen needleassembly includes an outer cover, a needle hub having a cannula and aninner shield, said device comprising: a housing having a top wall with aplurality of first wells with a dimension for receiving and retainingthe pen needle assembly, and a plurality of second wells having adiameter less than said first wells and a dimension for receiving andretaining the inner shield; and a movable ejector for ejecting the outercover and a used needle hub simultaneously from each of the first wellsand for ejecting the inner shield from each of the second wells.
 9. Thedevice of claim 8, wherein said first wells have a dimension to receivethe outer cover of the pen needle assembly where said outer cover isrecessed with respect to an outer surface of the top wall, and wheresaid second well has a dimension to receive said inner shield where saidinner shield is recessed relative to the outer surface of the top wall.10. The device of claim 8, wherein said first wells have a shape anddimension complementing a shape and dimension of the outer cover to gripthe outer cover with sufficient force to enable separation of the needlehub from the outer cover and to inhibit rotation of the outer coverwithin the first well.
 11. The device claim 10, wherein said first wellsincludes a rib oriented for mating with a complementing recess on theouter cover to inhibit the rotation of the outer cover relative to thewell and housing.
 12. The device of claim 8, wherein said second wellshave a first portion with a dimension to receive the needle hub and asecond portion with a dimension to receive and engage the inner shieldfor separating the needle hub from the inner shield.
 13. The device ofclaim 12, wherein said second well has an inner surface to grip theinner shield by a friction fit.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein saidejector is movable from a first position to a second position, saidejector including a first plunger for cooperating with and for slidingin a respective first well and a second plunger for cooperating with andsliding in a respective second well whereby movement of said ejectorfrom said first position to said second position ejects the outer coverand a used needle hub from each said first well and ejects said innershield from each said second well.
 15. A method of coupling anduncoupling a needle hub with respect to a pen needle delivery device fordelivering a substance to a patient, said method comprising the stepsof: providing a device having a housing with plurality of first wellswith a dimension for receiving an outer cover and needle hub of a penneedle assembly, and a plurality of second wells having a dimension forreceiving an inner shield of the pen needle assembly; inserting the penneedle assembly into one of said first wells and coupling to a couplingend of the needle hub; removing said pen needle delivery device andneedle hub from the first well; inserting an inner shield coupled to theneedle hub into a second well of said device, where said second well isspaced from said first well, where said inner shield is gripped by saidsecond well, and separating said needle hub from said inner shield foruse in delivering the substance to the patient; positioning theresulting used needle hub in said outer cover retained in the first welland uncoupling said needle hub from said pen needle delivery device; andsimultaneously ejecting the outer cover and used pen needle from thefirst wells and ejecting the inner shield from the second wells.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein said outer cover includes a removable sealcovering said needle hub, and said method comprises removing said sealbefore inserting said pen needle assembly into said first well.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein said device includes an ejector having aplurality of first plungers oriented for sliding in a correspondingfirst well and a plurality of second plungers oriented for sliding in acorresponding second well, said method comprising actuating the ejectorto slide said first and second plungers to eject an outer cover and usedneedle hub from the first wells and to eject the inner shields from thesecond wells.